Ruby (Cooper) Brock

Ruby Brock, 92, of Britt, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruby Brock will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street South East, in Britt with Father Paul Lipstock officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt with a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM.   Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Ruby Cooper was born September 22, 1921 to Ervin and Lennie (Smith) Cooper in Buxton, Iowa.  Ruby was one of eight children.  She graduated from Albia High School and later earned her teaching certificate from the junior college in Albia.

Ruby taught for a time in a one room school house, and later became the physical education teacher at Albia High School, where she was also the coach of the girls basketball team, the first girls team in her district.

Ruby was united in marriage to John Brock on January 15, 1944 in Des Moines.  Shortly thereafter, John enlisted in the United States Air Force and the couple made their home in several states throughout the country during the course of John’s military career.

In 1965, the family moved to Britt, where Ruby and John purchased the Ben Franklin store that they operated until their retirement in 1992.

Ruby enjoyed golfing, sewing and spending time with her family.  She was a very giving person, always sharing with those less fortunate.  She was known for being a practical joker and for her great sense of humor.

Ruby was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt.

Ruby is survived by her children Cathy (Glen) Vaught of Sun City West, Arizona, and their children Diane and Steven; John (Diane) Brock, Jr. of Waterford, Wisconsin, and their children Tara and Kelly; Chris (Rick) Grabish of Loveland, Colorado; Pat (Rick) Mattoon of Britt and their children Amanda and Ashley; James Brock of Albany, Oregon and his daughter Kayla; Steven (Mina) Brock of Richmond Hill, Georgia and their children Dillon and Savanna; eight great-grandchildren; one sister Hazel Chapman of Des Moines; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband John Brock, Sr., in 2009, a daughter-in-law JoDee Brock; sisters Norma, Bertha, Arlene, Mildred and Genevieve, and one brother Ervin “Gus.”